Aftermath

by Terri Blackstock

  Because Crystal was so young and had made so many friends over the years she’d lived in Atlanta, when ten o’clock came, more than two hundred people turned out to speak to Wendy and stay for Crystal’s funeral.

  When the funeral was over and the crowd formed in the fellowship hall of Wendy’s church, Dustin felt a tug at his sleeve. It was Jamie, who hugged him and whispered, “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah, I’m okay.”

  She looked into his eyes apprehensively. “There’s someone here who wants to talk to you.”

  “Okay,” he said.

  She nodded toward a woman standing near the door. His aunt Pat.

  Dustin’s heart caught and stumbled. Dread froze him as he waited for his aunt to cross the room.

  “Aunt Pat.” He bent over and forced himself to hug her. “It’s been a long time. You look good.”

  “And so do you,” Aunt Pat said. “I wanted to come because Jamie said you’d be here.”

  “Well, I appreciate it.”

  “I heard you’d been vindicated,” she said. “I was glad.”

  He saw the beginning of tears in Aunt Pat’s eyes, and he frowned in confusion. “Well . . . thank you.”

  “I’m sorry about . . . all of this. The other day Jamie came to see me, and she accused me of slighting you all these years, of always thinking the worst.”

  Dustin shook his head and held out a hand to stem the rest of her words and make the moment easier. “Don’t worry about it. I gave you plenty of trouble when I was a kid. You had every right—”

  “No,” she cut in. “You were different from my own kids, just like your mother was different from me. I should have given you more of a chance. I should have had a little more faith.”

  “It doesn’t matter now.”

  He was going to thank her again for coming and back away, but she took his hand and lowered her voice. “You did well after you left us, didn’t you, Dustin? The army, the medals, the business that was growing and becoming respected—”

  “I’m probably closing the business,” Dustin said, as if offering her another prize to hold on to.

  “But that’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Aunt Pat said, fixing him with eyes becoming more alive. “You built your business from scratch into something to be proud of. It shouldn’t be snatched from you like that. You may not be aware of this,” she said, “but my Michael is the president of his bank in Marietta.”

  He withdrew his hand, dreading the comparison to the successful firstborn son, ten years older than Dustin, and wondered if she was about to launch into a rundown of the successes of each of his cousins.

  “He’s building a new location, and they need a security contractor,” she said, her eyebrows arching.

  “That’s nice,” he said. “I always knew he’d be successful. I can probably point him to someone—”

  “No,” she cut in. “He wants you to design it.”

  Dustin frowned and stared at her for a moment, not sure he understood. “Come on, Aunt Pat. Please don’t play games with me.”

  “It’s true,” she said. “He called me this morning. He told me that he had planned to hire you before you were arrested, and now that you’re vindicated, he’s ready to get a quote.”

  Surprised and confused, Dustin looked over his shoulder for Jamie. She was caught in another conversation. He turned back to his aunt. “But . . . isn’t he worried about the publicity? His reputation? The liability?”

  “Well, he isn’t hiring Travis Grey,” Aunt Pat said. “Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to change the name of your business. But he’s hiring you. Dustin, this might be just what you need to get you back on your feet. If the president of a bank would employ you, maybe others will.”

  “But why?” he asked. “Why would he do that?”

  “Because he knows you and he trusts you.” Aunt Pat straightened her blazer and dusted lint off it, as if to distract from the moisture in her eyes. “If Michael had still been at home when you moved in with us, maybe he would have kept us from being so hard on you. He always liked you, Dustin.”

  Dustin felt a lump lodge in his throat, and he gulped. “Tell him . . . tell him I’ll call him this afternoon. And thank you. I really appreciate it.”

  He hugged her, and she patted his back awkwardly. This time when he said goodbye to her, he saw a certain measure of respect in her eyes, as if the events of the past few days had changed her view of him, and she no longer saw him as the troubled boy who would bring her family down. Now she saw him as he really was. Just another human being, struggling to make it in a chaotic world.

  Wendy invited Jamie to sit in the family section with Dustin at the burial. Dustin drew from her strength as she sat with her arm hooked through his, and when he lost his hold on his emotions, she wept with him. As her presence comforted him, he realized he couldn’t picture himself returning to life without her. She was a gift he hadn’t let himself ask for. But God was good and provided what he needed.

  Hours after the burial, Dustin took Jamie, Avery, and Dude back to the cemetery to collect all the pots of flowers people had left at the site. Wendy had asked him to get them so she could plant a memorial garden in memory of Crystal. He loaded them all into his trunk, leaving the cut flowers over the grave.

  “Are you all right?” Jamie asked him.

  “Yeah,” he said. “I was just thinking . . . There’s something I wanted to show you.”

  “Okay.”

  “Come with me.”

  Farther up the hill, he stepped between markers until he found the ones he was looking for. “My mother and father,” he said in a raspy voice.

  Jamie put her hand over her heart. “Dustin!” she said, “I didn’t know they were buried here.” She bent and read the headstones and ran her fingers over the engraved script. “I thought that happened out of town somewhere. I didn’t realize they were right here.”

  He nodded and slid his hands into his jeans pockets.

  “Do you still remember their burial?”

  “I wasn’t here,” he said.

  She looked up at him. “They didn’t let you come to the funeral?”

  “No, they let me. I just didn’t quite make it to the burial. There was some confusion about which relative I was with. My grandfather brought me here later, before I went into foster care.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes, but he was glad she didn’t tell him how awful that was. He didn’t need that sympathy now.

  “I wish I’d known them,” she said.

  “I wish they’d known you. Maybe God gave them a glimpse.”

  “A glimpse of me?” she asked.

  “Sure, why not?” He took her hand in his, brought it to his lips, and kissed it. “He would want them to know that I finally ended up with the one he’d chosen.”

  Those tears in her eyes spilled over now, and she touched his face and pressed a kiss on his lips.

  As they walked back to his car, Dustin saw Avery sitting on the grass with Dude, who was belly-up, letting her pat his stomach. She was giggling and chattering to him, and their happiness lifted above the clouds of the graveyard. It was contagious and exponential, and he didn’t want it to end.

  When they’d all loaded into the car, Dustin looked up the hill to the section of the graveyard where his parents’ shells lay. He couldn’t help thinking of that day when he would introduce Jamie to his parents face-to-face, before the generous, grace-filled, luminescent face of the God who loved him and led him where he belonged.

  Author Note

  I’m writing this in the fall of 2020, a year that was marked by pandemic, lockdowns, racial unrest, businesses closing, jobs lost, wildfires, hurricanes, rioting and looting, and an American election that was contentious, to say the least. Hatred has risen to an all-time high, intolerance has become trendy, and every topic of conversation somehow leads to division. Fear has dominated almost every area of life, and a sense of hopelessness is smothering even God’s people.

  Look
how far some of us have drifted from the promises of God and the teachings of Jesus. Some of us who know better have forgotten who we are, whose we are, and what we’re made to do. I came into this year after several life events that had weakened me spiritually, so I was already vulnerable to these blows. I knew what was happening to me as the year unfolded, so when I saw it happening to everyone else, I recognized it. That doesn’t mean I was immune to it. I, like many of you, fell prey to anger and indignation, sorrow and loneliness, bitterness and discouragement.

  But God hasn’t abandoned us, and His promises haven’t changed. He is still sovereign, and the miracles and mercies of the past remain today. One of my favorite Bible teachers is Kay Arthur of Precept Ministries (precept.org), and recently, when I was ruminating on the state of the world and my own spiritual condition, I remembered one of her Bible studies in which she talked about the enemy’s playbook. It reminded me of what has happened to us this year. When I tried to find it again, I discovered this blog that spelled it all out: https://isaiah544.blogspot.com/2008/06/satans-five-deadly-ds.html

  Kay Arthur talks of “Satan’s Five Deadly D’s,” which are the weapons the enemy uses against us, taking us through the stages of our drifting away from what we know. Once we start that spiral, it’s very easy for him to attack us. “Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).

  He hits us with these, one at a time, and once we hit these markers, we’re primed for the next stage. The stages are Disappointment, Discouragement, Dejection, Despair, and Demoralization. It’s important to use our tools and weapons early in that spiral, to keep from falling to the next level. The Apostle Paul tells us to take our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), and “to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2).

  But in case those arrows do get to us anyway, we’re given the full armor of God, “so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” We are to wear righteousness, truth, and faith like protective shields, and peace like they’re our shoes. We’re to guard our heads with our precious gift of salvation and wield the Word of God as if it’s a sword (Ephesians 6:13–17). When we’re debating and trying to win arguments, we’re often not using righteousness, truth, faith, or peace, and we’re certainly not drawing people to God’s Word or His salvation.

  If we can intervene in our own lives and turn back from falling into the enemy’s hands, then we can return to what we know and remember how to be kind, how to treat others as we want to be treated . . . We can remember that God warned us of these trials; we can hold on to the fact that this is not all there is; we can care about the condition of others’ souls. We can see people not as opponents, but as dearly loved creations of God, who were important enough for Jesus to die for. We will stop trying to win arguments and start trying to win souls. We will stop fighting against our loved ones, our friends and acquaintances, and even people we don’t know, and fight, instead, against the true enemies coming against us, enemies who are not made of flesh and blood.

  I sincerely hope that by the time you read this, things will be smoother, but I’m guessing it may not be. But take heart, because God is in charge and more interested in building our character than He is in building our reputations. He’s more interested in building His Church than he is in helping us to win battles that don’t matter in the overall war. He has different plans for us than we have for ourselves, but He knows better than we do. We can trust Him, even when things get dark. Christ can see through that darkness, so let the Light of the World guide your steps, your heart, and your mouth. He won’t guide you wrong.

  Terri Blackstock

  Discussion Questions

  What impact did the events in Dustin’s childhood have on who he became?

  How did Dustin’s friendship with Jamie as a child change his life?

  The death of Jamie’s husband changed her relationship with God. Have you ever had a time in your life when you felt disillusioned with God?

  How did Jamie influence Dustin even when they weren’t speaking?

  Were there signs that all was not well in Dustin’s friendship with Travis?

  How did Dustin’s reaction to the truth illuminate his character?

  Taylor’s spiral was fueled by grief, trauma, and mental illness. Was there anything more her sister could have done to help her?

  Discuss Travis’s dilemma and the choices he made.

  What was the theme of Aftermath?

  How did God work in this story?

  Acknowledgments

  I have wanted to be a writer since I was at least twelve years old, and somehow I’ve managed to do just that professionally for the last three and a half decades, twenty-eight years of which I’ve been married to Ken Blackstock.

  As much as I love living on my imagination, it just wouldn’t have been possible all these years without the support and empowerment from my husband, Ken.

  Ken has kept me motivated through a years-long chronic pain condition, continuously reminding me that my writing isn’t just a hobby. It’s a purpose, and he will do whatever is necessary to help me fulfill it for as long as I want.

  Thank you, Ken, for giving me wings, wind, and a tether that keep me from hurling myself into space. Thank you for being the unique and beloved man that you are, for always putting others first, and for being a wonderful father, grandfather, and my best friend. Thank you for hearing God when he nudged us together.

  I literally couldn’t do it without you.

  About the Author

  Photo by Deryll Stegall

  Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of If I Run, If I’m Found, and If I Live, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, Intervention, Moonlighters, the Sun Coast Chronicles, and the Restoration series.

  terriblackstock.com

  Facebook: @tblackstock

  Twitter: @terriblackstock

  Praise for Terri Blackstock

  “Justice may be blind but that doesn’t keep it from facing mortal danger. In Aftermath, expert storyteller Terri Blackstock ratchets up the suspense in a novel that delivers on every level. Conflicts rage and loyalties are tested to the ultimate limit. Set aside plenty of time when you pick up this book—you’ll not to want to take a break.”

  —Robert Whitlow, bestselling author of Trial and Error

  “In Aftermath, Terri Blackstock plumbs the depth of human emotion in the face of devastating tragedy, grief, and loss. Yet, she still manages to give readers her trademark suspenseful story, sweet romance, and hope for the future. From gut-wrenching scenes in a cancer patient’s hospital room to seeing the world through the eyes of a young woman with a debilitating mental health disorder, Blackstock pulls no punches about human frailties. Does the end justify the means? Romantic suspense lovers won’t want to miss Aftermath.”

  —Kelly Irvin, bestselling author of Closer Than She Knows

  “Plot twists and likable characters light up this latest romantic suspense from bestselling author Blackstock. Themes of redemption and grace mark this love story that will be a hit among fans of Christian fiction and clean romantic suspense.”

  —Library Journal for Smoke Screen

  “Blackstock’s intense and twisty story will please fans of her faith-grounded crime dramas.”

  —Publishers Weekly for Smoke Screen

  “Wow . . . just . . . wow. Terri Blackstock has been one of my favorite authors for a very long time. I just finished Smoke Screen in one sitting simply because I couldn’t put it down. Terri never fails to deliver a plot that moves and well-developed characters who are real, flawed, and
relatable. And, of course, it’s always a joy to watch her bring down the villain. I can’t say enough good things about this story. Just a word of warning: if you decide to pick up this book, don’t plan to do anything else until you finish it.”

  —Lynette Eason, bestselling, award-winning author of the Blue Justice series

  “Terri Blackstock once again proves she’s the queen of suspense with this masterfully penned novel. The story grips you on page one and doesn’t let go until you’ve ripped through every page. Highly recommended!”

  —Carrie Stuart Parks, author of Relative Silence, for Smoke Screen

  “Full of secrets, lies, and with a visceral impact that grabs from the first sentence, Smoke Screen is Terri Blackstock at her finest. Well-drawn characters and a plot that unspools seamlessly make it unputdownable. Highly recommended!”

  —Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author of the Lavender Tides series

  “Blackstock’s charming romance is sure to put readers in the Christmas spirit. Recommended to fans of Karen Kingsbury and readers who DVR the entire holiday line-up on the Hallmark Channel.”

  —Booklist for Catching Christmas

  “Blackstock delivers a tender and funny yuletide tale of faith, hope, and love. Quirky characters and a wholesome plot will please inspirational readers looking for a heartwarming Christmas story.”

  —Publishers Weekly for Catching Christmas

  “The feel-good Christmas book of the year. Blackstock’s tale of love and redemption wrapped in a holiday bow will leave you smiling. Don’t miss Catching Christmas.”

  —Rachel Hauck, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress

  “If I Live is a grabber from page one, delivering an exhilarating mix of chase, mystery, and spiritual truth. Longtime Blackstock fans will be delighted, and new Blackstock fans will be made.”